LONG, Henry (1544-73), of Shingay, Cambs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. 1544, o.s. of Sir Richard Long of Shingay and Draycot, Wilts. by Margaret, da. and h. of John Dovington, wid. of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave, Suff. educ. Gonville, Camb. 1562. m. Dorothy, da. of Nicholas Clarke of North Weston, Oxon., step-da. of Roger Alford, 1da. suc. fa. 1546.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Cambs. and Hunts. 1569-70.

Biography

Long was only 2 years old when his father died early in 1546. He may have been in his mother’s custody for some time, but in December 1550 his wardship was granted to Sir Edward Montagu, chief justice of common pleas. His father, a gentleman of the privy chamber to Henry VIII, had acquired lands in Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire as well as his Cambridgeshire property, and also owned a house near Baynard’s Castle, London. The property at Felixshall and Coggeshall, Essex, mentioned in Henry Long’s will, may also have been inherited.2

In 1571, some years after receiving livery of his lands, Long was accused by Thomas Lichfield of owing the Crown nearly £200 for concealed rents. He apparently acknowledged the debt, since an undated Exchequer receipt survives for some of it. Apart from the records of this transaction very little is known of Long after he came of age. The only reference to him in Parliament is to a speech he made on 12 Apr. 1571 during the debate on the treasons bill, apparently approving of its retrospective character: he was appointed to the committee for the bill.3

He died, still under 30, in April 1573, and was buried at St. Andrew’s by the Wardrobe, London. His will, made 30 Mar. and proved on 16 Apr. following, left all his fee-simple lands in the custody of his widow, the sole executrix, during the minority of their daughter and heir Elizabeth, aged four. Other relatives mentioned were a sister Mary, to whom he left 100 marks, and a cousin William Long. No overseers were appointed. The widow married (Sir) Charles Morison, and Long’s daughter became the wife of William Russell, Baron Russell of Thornhaugh.4

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

  • 1. C142/74/11, 13, 106; CPR, 1563-6, p. 274; Vis. Suff. ed. Metcalf, 48-9.
  • 2. CPR, 1549-51, pp. 300-1; LP Hen. VIII, xiii(1), p. 65 et passim; C142/74/11, 13, 106; PCC 12 Peter.
  • 3. CPR, 1563-6, p. 274; HMC Hatfield, i. 577; Lansd. 35, f. 79; CJ, i. 84; D’Ewes, 164, 165.
  • 4. P. Fisher, Cat. of Tombs in London, 1666, p. 56; Camb. Antiq. Soc. Proc. vii. 143; PCC 12 Peter; C142/163/6.